[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45741-45745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-19695]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 149 / Monday, August 4, 2003 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 45741]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

9 CFR Part 82

[Docket No. 02-117-9]


Exotic Newcastle Disease; Removal of Areas From Quarantine

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are amending the exotic Newcastle disease regulations by 
removing portions of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas from the 
list of quarantined areas. This action removes restrictions on the 
movement of birds, poultry, and certain other articles from those 
areas. With this action, there are no longer any areas in Arizona, 
Nevada, and Texas that are quarantined because of exotic Newcastle 
disease, and the size of the quarantined area in California is reduced.

DATES: This interim rule was effective July 30, 2003. We will consider 
all comments that we receive on or before October 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by postal mail/commercial delivery 
or by e-mail. If you use postal mail/commercial delivery, please send 
four copies of your comment (an original and three copies) to: Docket 
No. 02-117-9, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 
3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238. Please state 
that your comment refers to Docket No. 02-117-9. If you use e-mail, 
address your comment to [email protected]. Your comment must 
be contained in the body of your message; do not send attached files. 
Please include your name and address in your message and ``Docket No. 
02-117-9'' on the subject line.
    You may read any comments that we receive on this docket in our 
reading room. The reading room is located in room 1141 of the USDA 
South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, 
DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, 
please call (202) 690-2817 before coming.
    APHIS documents published in the Federal Register, and related 
information, including the names of organizations and individuals who 
have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at 
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Aida Boghossian, Senior Staff 
Veterinarian, Emergency Programs Staff, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
41, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 734-8073.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Exotic Newcastle disease (END) is a contagious and fatal viral 
disease affecting the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems of 
birds and poultry. END is so virulent that many birds and poultry die 
without showing any clinical signs. A death rate of almost 100 percent 
can occur in unvaccinated poultry flocks. END can infect and cause 
death even in vaccinated poultry.
    The regulations in ``Subpart A--Exotic Newcastle Disease (END)'' (9 
CFR 82.1 through 82.16, referred to below as the regulations) were 
established to prevent the spread of END in the United States in the 
event of an outbreak. In Sec.  82.3, paragraph (a) provides that any 
area where birds or poultry infected with END are located will be 
designated as a quarantined area, and that a quarantined area is any 
geographical area, which may be a premises or all or part of a State, 
deemed by epidemiological evaluation to be sufficient to contain all 
birds or poultry known to be infected with or exposed to END.
    Prior to the effective date of this interim rule, portions of 
Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas were designated as quarantined 
areas in Sec.  82.3(c) of the regulations. As a result, the interstate 
movement from those quarantined areas of birds, poultry, products, and 
materials that could spread END was prohibited or restricted. Further, 
because the Secretary of Agriculture declared an extraordinary 
emergency because of END in those States, the intrastate movement from 
the quarantined areas of birds, poultry, products, and materials that 
could spread END was prohibited or restricted, as provided by the 
regulations in Sec.  82.16.

Quarantine Actions in California

    On October 1, 2002, END was confirmed in the State of California. 
The disease was confirmed in backyard poultry, which are raised on 
private premises for hobby, exhibition, and personal consumption. 
Consequently, in an interim rule effective on November 21, 2002, and 
published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2002 (67 FR 70674-
70675, Docket No. 02-117-1), we amended the regulations in Sec.  
82.3(c) by designating Los Angeles County, CA, and portions of 
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA, as quarantined areas.
    Subsequent detections of END in backyard and commercial poultry on 
other premises in California led us to further amend Sec.  82.3(c) in 
order to quarantine additional areas in that State. Specifically:
    [sbull] In an interim rule effective on January 7, 2003, and 
published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2003 (68 FR 1515-1517, 
Docket No. 02-117-2), we added Imperial, Orange, San Diego, Santa 
Barbara, and Ventura Counties, CA, and the previously non-quarantined 
portions of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA, to the list of 
quarantined areas.
    [sbull] In an interim rule effective on May 13, 2003, and published 
in the Federal Register on May 19, 2003 (68 FR 26988-26990, Docket No. 
02-117-7), we added a portion of Kern County, CA, to the list of 
quarantined areas.
    As provided for by the regulations in Sec.  82.3(a), these 
quarantined areas in California encompassed each area where poultry 
infected with END were located and a surrounding geographical area 
deemed by epidemiological evaluation to be sufficient to contain all 
birds or poultry known to be infected with or exposed to END.

[[Page 45742]]

Quarantine Actions in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas

    In addition to the detections of END in California, the disease was 
also confirmed in backyard poultry on premises in three other States: 
In Nevada on January 16, 2003; in Arizona on February 4, 2003; and in 
Texas on April 9, 2003. Shortly after each of those confirmations, we 
responded by publishing an interim rule amending Sec.  82.3(c) to 
designate areas surrounding the affected premises as quarantined areas. 
Specifically:
    [sbull] In interim rule effective January 17, 2003, and published 
in the Federal Register on January 24, 2003 (68 FR 3375-3376, Docket 
No. 02-117-3), we designated all of Clark County, NV, and a portion of 
Nye County, NV, as a quarantined area;
    [sbull] In an interim rule effective February 10, 2003, and 
published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2003 (68 FR 7412-
7413, Docket No. 02-117-4), we designated La Paz and Yuma Counties, AZ, 
and a portion of Mohave County, AZ, as a quarantined area; and
    [sbull] In an interim rule effective April 10, 2003, and published 
in the Federal Register on April 16, 2003 (68 FR 18531-18532, Docket 
No. 02-117-5), we designated El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, TX, and 
Dona Ana, Luna, and Otero Counties, NM, as a quarantined area.
    As was the case with California, the areas Arizona, Nevada, and 
Texas that were quarantined in those interim rules encompassed each 
area where poultry infected with END were located and a surrounding 
geographical area deemed by epidemiological evaluation to be sufficient 
to contain all birds or poultry known to be infected with or exposed to 
END, as provided for by the regulations in Sec.  82.3(a).

Previous Reductions in Quarantined Areas

    After evaluating the results of extensive investigations conducted 
in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, APHIS epidemiologists 
determined it was possible to reduce the size of the quarantined areas 
in those States by eliminating areas in which END had not been found. 
Thus, in an interim rule effective May 14, 2003, and published in the 
Federal Register on May 19, 2003 (69 FR 26986-26988, Docket No. 02-117-
6), we amended the regulations in Sec.  82.3(c) by reducing the size of 
the quarantined areas in Nevada and Arizona, leaving only portions of 
La Paz County, AZ, and Clark County, NV, as quarantined areas in those 
States. Similarly, in another interim rule effective June 5, 2003, and 
published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2003 (69 FR 34779-34781, 
Docket No. 02-117-8), we amended the regulations in Sec.  82.3(c) by 
reducing the size of the quarantined areas in Texas and eliminating the 
quarantined areas in New Mexico, leaving only a portion of El Paso 
County, TX, as a quarantined area in that State.

Additional Reductions in Quarantined Areas

    In this interim rule, we are reducing the size of the quarantined 
area in California and eliminating the last remaining quarantined areas 
in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas. Except for portions of San Diego County, 
the areas we are removing from quarantine in California are areas in 
which END has not been found after extensive surveillance. Our actions 
with respect to La Paz County, AZ, Clark County, NV, El Paso County, 
TX, and the remaining portions of San Diego County, CA--areas that had, 
at one time, contained infected premises--are based upon our 
determination that those areas meet the criteria contained in Sec.  
82.14 of the regulations for release from quarantine. Our basis for 
these actions is discussed in greater detail below.

Areas in Which END Has Not Been Found

    No END-positive premises were detected in Imperial, Orange, or 
Santa Barbara Counties, CA, or in large areas of Kern, Los Angeles, 
Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties, CA. Large 
parts of these areas are made up of public lands or mountains, desert, 
or other largely uninhabited terrain. Intense surveillance and testing 
of both noncommercial and commercial poultry premises was carried out 
in these areas, also known as the surveillance zone, and resulted in no 
END-positive premises being detected.
    Noncommercial premises. An inventory of at-risk noncommercial 
premises was developed for the areas targeted for quarantine release. 
In addition to information previously collected through eradication 
activities, sources of information included local animal control 
authorities, local law enforcement, county agricultural officials, 
extension personnel, and animal welfare workers.
    Surveillance efforts were concentrated in areas that had at-risk 
premises. An at-risk premises was defined as a premises inhabited by 
poultry, ratites, or an aviary. Within this population, premises 
considered highest risk were targeted for sampling. High risk premises 
were defined as any premises with any galliform birds (chickens, 
turkeys, pheasant, quail, partridge, guinea fowl, pea fowl, etc.), 
columbiform birds (pigeons, doves), or anseriform birds (ducks, geese, 
swans). Other factors considered to indicate high risk were multiple 
owners on the same premises, premises with sick or dead birds, history 
of movement of birds, and possible contact with an infected premises.
    The sampling period was concentrated from March through June 2003, 
but began as early as January 2003. All sampling of the surveillance 
zone was completed by early July 2003. At least 6,917 premises with 
birds were identified in the surveillance zone. The true total number 
of premises with birds in the surveillance zone is not known, but 
efforts were made to identify the areas most likely to have at-risk 
premises.
    Overall, a total of 1,811 at-risk premises were sampled from a 
population of 3,386 at-risk premises in the surveillance zone. Over 
23,600 birds were sampled and tested for END virus. None of the samples 
yielded a positive result.

Table 1.--At-Risk Noncommercial Premises Sampled by County in California
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Number of                     Number of
           County               premises         County        premises
                                 sampled                       sampled
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imperial....................          182   San Bernardino.          124
Kern........................           15   San Diego......          343
Los Angeles.................           39   Santa Barbara..          349
Orange......................          256   Ventura........          274
Riverside...................          229
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 45743]]

    Commercial premises. Active weekly surveillance of commercial 
poultry premises in the surveillance zone began in January 2003. All 
commercial premises with chickens were under weekly active surveillance 
beginning April 10, 2003, or earlier. All commercial premises have a 
documented biosecurity protocol in place. Also, these premises must 
report any significant increase in death losses or the occurrences of 
clinical signs consistent with END.
    A total of 29 commercial poultry premises were located in the 
surveillance zone in California, of which 17 premises had birds 
present. The total estimated number of commercial birds on the 17 
premises was over 1 million. The other commercial premises were either 
egg processors, manure haulers, or were void of birds and therefore did 
not participate in active surveillance. A representative sampling of 
either live or dead birds from each poultry house was done weekly. 
Sample collection was done by either an accredited veterinarian or 
authorized company personnel. No END positive premises were found.
    As noted previously, the regulations in Sec.  82.3(a) provide that 
any area where birds or poultry infected with END are located will be 
designated as a quarantined area, and that a quarantined area is any 
geographical area, which may be a premises or all or part of a State, 
deemed by epidemiological evaluation to be sufficient to contain all 
birds or poultry known to be infected with or exposed to END.
    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) epidemiologists 
have evaluated the results of the investigations conducted in 
California and have determined that we may now reduce the size of the 
quarantined area in that State. This determination is based on, among 
other things, the demonstrated absence of birds or poultry infected 
with or exposed to END in specific areas. The regulations in Sec.  
82.14 provide requirements that must be met before an area may be 
removed from quarantine, but those requirements relate to measures 
taken with respect to END-infected or -exposed birds and poultry, their 
eggs and manure, and articles and premises with which such birds or 
their manure or litter have come in contact. As there were no END-
infected or -exposed birds or poultry in Imperial, Orange,\1\ and Santa 
Barbara Counties, CA, or in portions of Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, 
San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties, CA, there are no 
requirements under Sec.  82.14 that need to be met before those areas 
can be removed from quarantine.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Although there were no infected premises in Orange County, a 
portion of that county will remain as a quarantined area due to its 
proximity to areas in adjoining counties where infected premises 
were found.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Areas That Contained Infected Premises

    An area where END positive premises have been detected is known as 
an ``infected area.'' The infected area in Arizona and in Texas each 
had one END positive premises. The infected area in Nevada had 10 
positive premises detected. None of the infected premises in those 
three States were commercial poultry premises. The infected area of San 
Diego County, CA, had 20 infected premises, 7 of which were commercial 
poultry premises. All birds on all infected premises, and any premises 
exposed to those infected premises, were depopulated. The date of 
depopulation on the final END positive premises in each infected area 
was:
    [sbull] Clark County, NV: January 29, 2003;
    [sbull] La Paz County, AZ: February 7, 2003;
    [sbull] El Paso County, TX: April 7, 2003; and
    [sbull] San Diego County, CA: April 21, 2003.
    Intensive surveillance and testing of both noncommercial and 
commercial poultry premises was carried out in the infected areas and 
resulted in no additional END positive premises being detected.
    Noncommercial premises. An inventory of at-risk noncommercial 
premises was developed for the infected areas. Surveillance efforts 
were then concentrated in portions of the infected areas that had at-
risk premises. An at-risk premises was defined as a premises inhabited 
by poultry, ratites, or an aviary. Within this population, premises 
considered highest risk were targeted for sampling.
    Results of the surveillance conducted in the infected areas in 
Arizona, Nevada, and Texas were reported in our interim rules of May 
19, 2003 (for Arizona and Nevada), and June 11, 2003 (for Texas), cited 
previously. None of the samples collected was positive for END virus.
    In the infected area of San Diego County, CA, all of the sampling 
was conducted during the 6-week period from June 1 through July 12, 
2003. The majority of the sampling of premises was conducted during a 
2-week period from June 22 to July 5, 2003. At least 1,126 premises 
with birds were identified in the area. The true total number of 
premises with birds in the area is not known, but efforts were made to 
identify the areas most likely to have at-risk premises.
    Overall, a total of 539 at-risk premises were sampled from a 
population of 701 at-risk premises in the infected area of San Diego 
County, CA. Over 5,100 birds were sampled and tested for END virus. 
None of the samples yielded a positive result.
    Commercial premises. Active weekly surveillance of commercial 
poultry premises in the infected area of San Diego County, CA, began in 
February 2003. All commercial premises with birds have been under 
weekly active surveillance for at least 6 weeks and have a documented 
biosecurity protocol in place. Also, these premises must report any 
significant increase in death losses or the occurrences of clinical 
signs consistent with END.
    A total of 30 commercial poultry premises are located in the 
infected area, of which 22 premises had birds present. The eight other 
commercial premises are egg processors and did not participate in 
active surveillance. Seven of the 22 premises with birds were found to 
be infected and were depopulated. Two other premises are now void of 
birds. A representative sampling of either live or dead birds from each 
poultry house on the remaining 13 premises with birds was performed 
weekly. Sample collection was done by either an accredited veterinarian 
or authorized company personnel. No END positive premises were found.
    We have determined that all applicable requirements of Sec.  82.14 
to remove an area from quarantine have been met with respect to the 
remaining areas in La Paz County, AZ, San Diego County, CA, Clark 
County, NV, and El Paso County. Specifically, we have determined the 
following:
    [sbull] All birds and poultry exposed to END have been found to be 
free of END;
    [sbull] All birds and poultry infected with END have been 
euthanized;
    [sbull] All parts of all birds and poultry that were euthanized or 
that died from any cause other than slaughter, all eggs produced by 
birds or poultry infected with or exposed to END, and all manure 
generated by and litter used by birds or poultry infected with or 
exposed to END have been buried at least 6 feet deep and covered at the 
time of burial with soil in a location within the quarantined area that 
meets all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), State, and local 
requirements for landfills;
    [sbull] All vehicles with which the birds or poultry infected with 
or exposed to END or their excrement or litter have had physical 
contact have been cleaned and

[[Page 45744]]

disinfected in the manner prescribed in Sec.  82.14(f);
    [sbull] All cages, coops, containers, troughs, and other equipment 
used for birds or poultry infected with or exposed to END or their 
excrement or litter have been reduced to ashes by incineration or have 
been cleaned and disinfected in the manner prescribed in Sec.  
82.14(g); and
    [sbull] The premises where birds or poultry infected with or 
exposed to END were located have been cleaned and disinfected in the 
manner prescribed in Sec.  82.14(h).

Conclusion

    Based on the information presented above, we are amending Sec.  
82.3(c) in this interim rule by removing Imperial and Santa Barbara 
Counties, CA, and portions of Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San 
Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura Counties, CA, from the list of 
quarantined areas because the continued quarantine of these areas is no 
longer necessary to contain all birds and poultry infected with or 
exposed to END. Those portions of Kern, Los Angeles, Orange,\2\ 
Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties, CA, that will remain 
as quarantined areas, which are described in the amendments to Sec.  
82.3(c) at the end of this document, have been deemed by 
epidemiological evaluation to be sufficient to contain all birds or 
poultry known to be infected with or exposed to END. In addition, we 
are also amending the regulations in Sec.  82.3(c) by removing the 
remaining portions of La Paz County, AZ, San Diego County, CA, Clark 
County, NV, and El Paso County, TX, from the list of quarantined areas 
based on our determination that the requirements of Sec.  82.14 have 
been met with respect to those areas. With this action, there are no 
longer any areas in Arizona, Nevada, and Texas that are quarantined 
because of END, and the size of the quarantined area in California is 
reduced.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See footnote 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Immediate Action

    Immediate action is warranted to relieve restrictions that are no 
longer necessary. We have determined that portions of Arizona, 
California, Nevada, and Texas may now be removed from the list of areas 
quarantined because of END. Therefore, immediate action is warranted to 
relieve the prohibitions or restrictions that have applied to the 
movement of birds, poultry, products, and other materials from those 
areas. Under these circumstances, the Administrator has determined that 
prior notice and opportunity for public comment are contrary to the 
public interest and that there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553 for 
making this action effective less than 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register.
    We will consider comments that we receive during the comment period 
for this interim rule (see DATES above). After the comment period 
closes, we will publish another document in the Federal Register. The 
document will include a discussion of any comments we receive and any 
amendments we are making to the rule.

Executive Order 12866 and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. For this 
action, the Office of Management and Budget has waived its review under 
Executive Order 12866.
    This rule amends the regulations by removing portions of Arizona, 
California, Nevada, and Texas from the list of quarantined areas. This 
action needs to be made effective immediately in order to remove 
restrictions on the movement of birds, poultry, and certain other 
articles from those areas that are no longer necessary.
    This situation makes timely compliance with section 604 of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) impracticable. We are 
currently assessing the potential economic effects of this action on 
small entities. Based on that assessment, we will either certify that 
the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities or publish a final regulatory flexibility 
analysis.

Executive Order 12372

    This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic 
Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372, 
which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local 
officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V.)

Executive Order 12988

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. This rule: (1) Preempts all State and local laws and 
regulations that are in conflict with this rule; (2) has no retroactive 
effect; and (3) does not require administrative proceedings before 
parties may file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This interim rule contains no information collection or 
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 82

    Animal diseases, Poultry and poultry products, Quarantine, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.


0
Accordingly, 9 CFR part 82 is amended as follows:

PART 82--EXOTIC NEWCASTLE DISEASE (END) AND CHLAMYDIOSIS

0
1. The authority citation for part 82 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 8301-8317; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4.


0
2. In Sec.  82.3, paragraph (c), the entries for Arizona, Nevada, and 
Texas are removed and the entry for California is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  82.3  Quarantined areas.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *

California

    Kern County. That portion of the county bounded by a line drawn as 
follows: Beginning on the Kern/Los Angeles County line at the point 
where the county line is intersected by an imaginary line running 
northeast from the intersection of State Highway 126 and the Los 
Angeles/Ventura County line to the intersection of Tehachapi Willow 
Springs Road and West 100th Street in the city of Mojave; then 
northeast along that same imaginary line to the intersection of 
Tehachapi Willow Springs Road and West 100th Street in the city of 
Mojave; then north on West 100th Street to Laguna Street; then east on 
Laguna Street to West 90th Street; then north on West 90th Street to 
Oak Creek Road; then east on Oak Creek Road to State Highway 14; then 
south on State Highway 14 to State Highway 58; then east on State 
Highway 58 to East 30th Street in the city of Mojave; then southeast 
from that point along an imaginary line to the southeastern corner of 
Kern County; then west along the Kern/San Bernardino County line to the 
Kern/Los Angeles County line; then west along the Kern/Los Angeles 
County line to the point of beginning.
    Los Angeles County. That portion of the county bounded by a line 
drawn as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the Los Angeles/
Orange County line and East Willow Street in the city of Long Beach; 
then west along East Willow Street, West Willow Street, East Sepulveda 
Boulevard, West Sepulveda Boulevard, and Sepulveda Boulevard to 
Hawthorne Boulevard; then north on Hawthorne Boulevard to Manhattan 
Beach Boulevard; then west on Manhattan Beach Boulevard to the

[[Page 45745]]

Manhattan Beach Pier (coast of the Pacific Ocean); then north and west 
along the coast of the Pacific Ocean to a point directly south of the 
intersection of Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 1) and Malibu 
Canyon/Las Virgenes Road (County Highway N1); then north from that 
point to and on Malibu Canyon/Las Virgenes Road to Mulholland Drive; 
then west on Mulholland Drive to Kanan Road; then north on Kanan Road 
to U.S. Highway 101; then west on U.S. Highway 101 to the Los Angeles/
Ventura County line; then northeast, east, north, east, and north along 
the Los Angeles/Ventura County line to State Highway 126; then 
northeast to the point where the Los Angeles/Kern County line is 
intersected by an imaginary line drawn between the intersection of the 
Los Angeles/Ventura County line and State Highway 126 and the 
intersection of Tehachapi Willow Springs Road and West 100th Street 
(the latter intersection is in the city of Mojave); then east along the 
Los Angeles/Kern County line to the Los Angeles/San Bernardino County 
line; then south along the Los Angeles/San Bernardino County line to 
the Los Angeles/Orange County line; then west, south, and southwest 
along the Los Angeles/Orange County line to the point of beginning.
    Orange County. That portion of the county that lies north of a line 
drawn as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the Orange/Riverside 
County line and State Highway 91; then west on State Highway 91 to 
State Highway 90 (Imperial Highway); then northwest on State Highway 90 
to State Highway 39 (Beach Boulevard); then south on State Highway 39 
to Katella Avenue; then west on Katella Avenue to the Los Angeles/
Orange County line.
    Riverside County. That portion of the county bounded by a line 
drawn as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the San Bernardino 
County line and the eastern city limit of Cherry Valley; then south 
along the eastern city limit of Cherry Valley to Highland Springs 
Avenue; then south on Highland Springs Avenue to Interstate Highway 10; 
then west on Interstate Highway 10 to State Highway 79 (Lambs Canyon 
Road); then south on State Highway 79 to State Highway 74; then west on 
State Highway 74 to State Street in the city of Hemet; then south on 
State Street to Diamond Valley Road; then west on Diamond Valley Road 
to Palm Avenue; then south on Palm Avenue to De Portola Road; then 
south on De Portola Road to East Benton Road; then southeast from that 
point along an imaginary line to the intersection of Sage Road and 
State Highway 79; then east on State Highway 79 to State Highway 371; 
then southeast to the point where the Riverside/San Diego County line 
is intersected by an imaginary line drawn between the intersection of 
State Highway 79 and State Highway 371 and the intersection of State 
Highway 78 and West Side Road (the latter intersection is in San Diego 
County); then west along the Riverside/San Diego County line to the 
point where that line turns from northeast to due west; then northwest 
from that point along an imaginary line to the Riverside/Orange County 
line at the point where it turns from northeast to northwest (west of 
the city of Lake Elsinore); then northwest from that point along the 
Riverside/Orange County line to the Riverside/San Bernardino County 
line; then north and east along the Riverside/San Bernardino County 
line to the point of beginning.
    San Bernardino County. That portion of the county that lies south 
and west of a line drawn as follows: Beginning at the Kern/San 
Bernardino County line at the southeastern corner of Kern County; then 
southeast from that point along an imaginary line to the intersection 
of Stoddard Wells Road and Dale Evans Parkway in the town of Apple 
Valley; then south on Dale Evans Parkway to Waalew Road; then east on 
Waalew Road to the Apple Valley town limit; then southeast from that 
point along an imaginary line to the intersection of State Highway 247 
and Northside Road; then east on Northside Road to Meridian Road; then 
south on Meridian Road to Cambria Road; then east on Cambria Road to 
Post Office Road; then south on Post Office Road to State Highway 18; 
then southwest from that point along an imaginary line to the 
intersection of State Highway 18 and State Highway 38 (North Shore 
Drive) located west of the city of Big Bear Lake; then south from that 
point along an imaginary line to the San Bernardino/Riverside County 
line at the point where that county line turns from west to south just 
northwest of the city of Banning.
    Ventura County. That portion of the county bounded by a line drawn 
as follows: Beginning at the intersection of the Ventura/Los Angeles 
County line and U.S. Highway 101; then west on U.S. Highway 101 to 
State Highway 34 (North Lewis Road); then north on State Highway 34 to 
State Highway 118; then northeast along an imaginary line to the 
intersection of Old Telegraph Road and State Highway 126; then east on 
State Highway 126 to the Ventura/Los Angeles County line; then south 
along the Ventura/Los Angeles County line to the point of beginning.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 30th day of July 2003.
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-19695 Filed 8-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P